There is a wide variety of rental housing in the United States. In the cities, this mostly means apartments. They usually have one, two or three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Some are just one room apartments with a kitchen and bathroom, these are called efficiencies. People also rent out houses. When you rent a house, you pay its owner a fix monthly amount to live there. Prices vary according to its location and the quality of the apartment or house. You usually have to pay three months rent up front. Two months rent for security deposit, in case you do any damage to the apartment, and the first month's rent. Most owners, or landlords, will require you to sign a contract agreeing to pay rent for a full year. At the end of the year, you're free to find another place, or renew your lease with the landlord, as long as he still wants you as a tenant.